Page 140 of Contract of a Billionaire

“Oh.”

I held my breath, worried that something would go awry right as the light at the end of the tunnel flickered.

Alessio turned, nodded and Sasha stood up.

“Okay, ladies and gentlemen. Let’s get the fuck out of here.”

Sasha and Kian followed close behind me, the other men surrounding Salma and her baby, as all of us rushed from the helicopter and towards the airplane. I climbed up the stairs of the airplane, my knees shaking with each step.

“It’s okay.” Alessio’s voice was right behind me, his palm comforting on the small of my back. “Just get into the cabin and we’re out of this shithole.”

I took a step up. And another.

It seemed to take forever but finally we were inside the cabin. The moment we were in, Alessio shut the cabin door.

“Let’s go,” he issued the order to the pilot.

Ten minutes and we were high up in the air. It wasn’t until I could see the clouds all around us that a shuddering breath finally left me and tears welled in my eyes.

Lifting me up into his arms, Alessio took me to the back of the plane and shut the door with his foot.

It was then that I fell apart.

Chapter46

Alessio

Autumn’s sobs shook her body, her face buried in my chest. Right above the heart that belonged to her. She had owned my heart from the moment we locked eyes eight years ago on her eighteenth birthday.

“Shhh.” I murmured into her jet black hair. She still smelled of fall and apples to me. Like my home. “I’m here now. I’ll always be here.”

Her raven hair fell down her slim body. It had lost its shine and her face was so pale, the contrast to her dark hair stark. Dark circles dimmed her beautiful hazel eyes that seemed more brown than ever. Almost lifeless, but I’d bring her back to life. She’d live happy and carefree, with Kol and me.

Because the alternative wasn’t an option. I’d commit murder, crawl on my knees, and go through fire to ensure her eyes would never be brown again.

Her body trembled in my arms. Fuck, she was a rack of bones. Her burka was bunched at the middle of her thighs. She was still wearing jeans, every visible inch of her covered with dirt and blood.

Jesus, blood.

Even her hands had blood on them. Her lip was busted and there were dark shadows under her eyes. Those bruises looked even starker against her raven hair and pale skin.

Fucking fuck.

I was too late. I was too fucking late.

“I’m sorry, love,” I whispered. “I’m sorry for taking so long to get to you. Nobody will ever hurt you again.”

I ran my fingers softly over her face. The fury pulsed inside me, at myself. At the world who dared to hurt her.

I held her trembling body close to me, thanking all the saints for finally having her in my arms.

“You came for me,” she rumbled into my chest. “You came for me.”

“I’ll always come for you. I’ll burn this world to ashes to find you and Kol. Always.”

“I thought– “ she croaked, her voice trembling. “I thought I’d never see you again. Or Kol.” Her slim fingers clutched my shirt. “I missed all those days with him.” She raised her eyes, her hazels shimmering brown. “D-does he still remember me?”

I took her chin between my fingers and held her gaze. “We talked about you every day. He’ll never forget you. And he’s waiting for you. Your parents, Branka, Kol. We have all waited for you.”